Improvement in combined reclining and invalid chairs



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Val De Mar SLEIGHT. COMBINED RECLINING AND INVALID-CHAIR.

Patented Jan. 25,187.6.

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MFETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHR. WASHINGTON, D C. l

ivrrnn "STATES VAL DE MAR 'SLEIGH'I, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD HIS Pairslwr FFICE.

RIGHT TO JESSE H. GIFFORD, OF SAME PLAGE.

IIVIPROVE'MENI IN COMBINED RECLINING AND INVALID CHAIRS..

Specicationforming part of Letters Patent No. l1Z`2,665, dated January 25, 187.6; application led October 22, 1875.

The invention relates to reclining and in-' valid chairs; and has for its object the production of a chair which possesses the advantages ot an ordinary rocking-chair, and is at the same time so constructed that it may be` adjusted and arranged to form what is generally known as a reclining-chair, besides admitting of adjustment so as to be available as a cot or cradle. While effecting in a con venient manner the offices ot' any of these articles at will, its construction is such that its parts may be made of light material, and the whole foldedtogetherso as to occupy but lit'- tle space, and be readily portable. The elements of novelty and the details of construction and opera-tion arefully set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation ot' a device embodying the elements of the invention. Fig.`2 is a central longitudinal section of same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing the device in the form of a cot.

A are rockers, of usual construction, adapted in size and shape to the other parts ofthe device. Near their forward ends are hinged the inclined pieces I3, which are beveled and ton gued at their lower extremities, the tongues fitting in slots or cavities in the rockers, so as to give the pieces the proper inclination, and to insure security. The pieces B extend upward, and are connected with the transverse bar C, so as to turn upon it, their inner surfaces being in immediate proximity to the back pieces D. To the upper ends of the pieces B are hinged the arms E, their forward extremities being provided with a groove or notch, and arranged to fit upon the projecting ends of the transverse bar H, being held in place by the buttons or washers It.

I are cross-pieces, which are pivoted at about their middle parts to the pieces B, and which are beveled and ilanged at their lower extremities, the flanges being upon the inner sides and the upper side of the piece I are the ratchets' or notched pieces K, which are arranged with relation to the pawls d upon the lower ends of the back-pieces l).

The back-pieces D are connected by interior cross-pieces, and turn upon the transverse bar G, which passes through apertures cut to receive it. Near the lower ends of the pieces D are pivoted the stays or levers L, having the slots Z, which move upon the pins or thumbscrews o, upon the inner sides ofthe pieces I, the pins or thumb-screws being in the slot, and so arranged that they may be turned to permit the stay or lever to be carried out oi' position and folded at pleasure with the other parts.

The levers L are stra-ight, as in the present instance, or may be curved, the forward ends being carried upward, and the rear ends inclined in a contrary direction. The ottice ot' the levers L is to support the foot or leg piece of the device, and their length is such as to eft'ect this result, while the slots l serve, in combination with the pins o, to hold the back at a suitable inclination when the device is in use as a rocking-chair. The bars C and H are seat-pieces or rounds, of usual construction. To the former is attached, in any appropriate manner, the piece ot' textile fabric or other like material M, which is supplied `with a strap, m, and buckle a, by means of which it is held in place, so as to form a seat or section of a cot at will. One end of the piece M is free, and is passed between the bar H and foot or leg piece, and secured by the strap and buckle as desired. The foot or leg piece consists of two frames, N O, of unequal size, hinged together, the upper, which is the larger, being intended to support the legs, and the lower to serve especially as a foot-rest. The traine N is attached to turn upon the bar or round H, and has secured at one side the eye p, in which thc hook Pis inserted when it is desired to adjust the lower frame O to be used as a footrest. Another eye, p', is attached to one of the rounds, or in any convenient position, in which the hook P is placed when it is desired to adjust the parts for use as a rocking-chair. Attached to fold between the back-pieces and within the frame Nare the legs R R', which are of such length, respectively, that, when lowered, the back and leg and foot rest and seat will be in substantially the saine horizontal pla-ne. The legs are secured in place in any convenient manner, and are of the requisite strength to eii'ect their offices.

The frames and back are covered with canvas, or cushioned, or otherwise constructed; but the flexible seat-piece M or its equivalent is an essential feature, and will be used in all Cases.

The operation ofy the invention is as follows To use it as a rockingchair,adjust the parts and secure them in place as follows: Fasten the inclined pieces B I to the rockers, place thepawl in connection with the lowest notch in the ratchet, buckle the seat strap or piece M, and place the hook P in the eye p'. The result will be that all the parts are made rigid as against any backward movement of the body, the whole forming an ordinary rockingchair.

lo4 use the device as a reclining chair, remove the hook P, place it in the eye p, and elevate the pawl d to the desired notch. By this l the set-screws o.

To fold the device, free'the piece M, levers or stays L, lower ends of the pieces I, and 4forward ends of the arms D, when the parts may be folded upon each other to form a relatively small and compact body.

The details of construction `and operation, other than as hereinbefore set forth, will appear from the drawings, or require no explanation.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The rockers A, inclined pieces B, hinged thereto and to the arms E, and bar C, in combination with the bar H and inclined piece I, attached to the rockers A, all substantially as shown and set forth.

2. The back-pieces D, provided with the pawls d, in combination with thel ratchets K, levers L, frame N, and legs I and B, substantially as shown and described.

3. The piece M, provided with bucklen and strap m, substantially as shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.

4.' The combination ofthe frames N 0, and

vhook P, andeyes p p', for the purposes speci-y fied.

5. The rockers A, pieces B and I, bars C and H, back-pieces D, levers L, and frame N, in combination, substantially as described, and l for the purposes set forth.

6.The rockers A, pieces B and I, bars Oi and H, back-pieces D, levers L, frame N,

piece M, and arms E, in combination, all op- A 

